The Cougars showed some fight in the seventh and ninth innings, but it was not enough to come back from the early lead the Roadrunners established.With the loss, the Cougars fell to 5-3 overall and 0-1 in away games. | Newton Liu/The Daily Cougar
A ninth-inning rally almost propelled the Cougars past UTSA, but UH came up short, losing 7-6 with the tying run stranded at third base.
The rally began with a David Murphy walk, and a carousel of runners ensued as UH knocked in five off of Roadrunner reliever Cody Scott.
Scott was substituted for Matt Locus, who gave up a double to Caleb Ramsey — scoring Chase Jensen to bring the Cougars within one run.
Zach Calhoon would relieve Locus, and after throwing a wild pitch that allowed Ramsey to advance to third, he would get M.P. Cokinos to fly out on a full count to end the game.
Chase Dempsay started for UH, but lasted only 2.3 innings, allowing three runs. With the exception of Dakota Dill, none of the UH relievers were effective against the Roadrunners. Dill threw 2.3 shutout innings in relief.
The Roadrunners (5-5) took advantage of erratic UH (5-3) pitching, tacking on runs throughout the game.
UTSA scored three runs in the third and added on single runs in the fourth and seventh innings, and two more in the eighth to give the Roadrunners a 7-1 advantage.
The UH offense was quiet until a late comeback attempt, and did little against starter D.D. Towler, who went six shutout innings while allowing seven baserunners.
Ramsey and Travis Trial both had multi-hit games for the Cougars, with Ramsey going 3-for-4 with two RBIs, and Trial picking up two hits in his three at-bats.
The Cougars will look to recover at the Houston College Classic at Minute Maid Park this weekend. UH will begin the Classic against Baylor at noon Friday.
